SAS Blue Thunder helicopter at Shobdon Airfield, Herefordshire

A video shared on the Aeroplane spotters TV YouTube channel showed the blue and white Dauphin helicopter, used by the SAS, carrying out an activity known as "touch-and-go" at the airfield near Leominster.

The activity is where pilots come in to land, but take off again without coming to a stop.

The 10-minute video, posted on September 24, shows the helicopter, with the registration ZJ785, carrying out several circuits.

Plane spotter Jordan Gregory said he saw the helicopter on Friday (September 23) as it repeated the training moves at the airfield.

It's not the first time he's seen the illusive helicopter there either, previously spotting it carrying out similar manoeuvres in August.

The helicopter rarely appears on public flight trackers, but members of the public are free to take pictures and videos at the airfield.

A helicopter used by the SAS flying away from Shobdon Airfield. Picture: Jordan Gregory (Image: Jordan Gregory)

The twin-engine Dauphin helicopters, built by Airbus, have one or two pilots, and space for 11 or 12 passengers.

RELATED NEWS:

• The helicopters seen over Herefordshire (including SAS Blue Thunder)
• Explosion heard before helicopter crashed in Herefordshire field, report finds
• Student pilot broke bone in back after crashing during take-off in Herefordshire

There are reportedly six of these Dauphin helicopters for 658 Squadron Army Air Corps, and they're based at the SAS camp in Credenhill, supporting 22nd Special Air Service (22 SAS).

A close-up of the SAS Blue Thunder helicopter at Shobdon Airfield. Picture: Jordan Gregory (Image: Jordan Gregory)

The squadron is part of the Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing which brings together the Royal Air Force and the British Army's aviation to support the Special Forces.

Very little information can be found on their use by the special forces, but they have been seen responding to terrorism incidents in the UK.

One of the SAS helicopters landed on London Bridge during the 2017 terror attack. Picture: PA Wire

One of the helicopters, all of which are painted in civilian colours of blue and white – hence the nickname of Blue Thunder – landed in the capital during the London Bridge terror attack in June 2017.

OTHER NEWS:

• Herefordshire teen crashed while showing off to girlfriend
• 'Extremely distressing' - sheep dies after dog attack on the Malvern Hills
• Herefordshire farm works with others all over the world making quality food

According to the website Elite Uk FOrces, 658 Squadron's Dauphins are believed to have been modified with a secure radio communications fitment.

Some pictures also show the helicopters fitted with a sensor turret, and they can be fitted with a roping frame to allow for fast-roping from the cabin doorways.

The Military of Defence routinely says it does not comment on special forces.